Yo my P fans! I've had a bunch of regular, cheap turntables to listen to records, but that was as far as my expertise went. Nowadays, ive gotten into making some of my own music, and a sizable vinyl collection. I'd love to sample, and maybe even scratch and incorporate them into my own musical creations.
And maybe further into the future, my dream would be to DJ at some parties. (The only DJing ive done is with my laptop/Virtual DJ and a PA system)
So far, this is what i'm looking at:
http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipment/1/1992/5007.html
Any ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated.
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P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago # -
P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 16 years ago #To be honest I havent used those Numarks much, only for listening to records at the record store.
So I cant really comment on them...
BUT, I have a C2C dvd (French dj team) who have won the World Team DMC DJ Championships 4 times in a row.
Anyway on this dvd they show 3 of their winning routines and the turntables they are using are numarks like them. So they must be pretty good.
I'm not sure on Numarks range because I haven't looked at any equipment lately coz I havent needed anything.
My current set up is 2 x Technics SL1200 MK5's with a Stanton SA-12 Mixer.
Technics are reliable and most places use them.
I've got 2 x Vestax PDX 2000's in my attic and I think these are the best turntables for mixing and turntablist shizzle.
Greater torque than technics, larger pitch range (Not -+8% but -+60%, -+10% on the fine pitch then -+50% on the ultra pitch) also Vestaxs have adjustable start and brake speeds which is dope and very useful. They also reverse at the touch of a button and have a quartz lock (keeps the pitch at 0) and a removable light.
Unfortunitly with all DJ things the more you spend the better the equipment is. A technics or a vestax deck (top of the range kit) will set you back around £350. Thats for just one.
When I brought my Technics I actually found it was cheaper to buy a package (2 decks and a mixer etc) then 2 decks on their own.
I already had a good mixer so I just kept the numark one that came in the package as a spare.
You need to think that a good set of turntables should last you near enuff a life time. So you should think about that when you are costing things up.
You could spend $400 for a pair of Numarks then 2/3/4 years later need to buy a set of Technics, Vestaxs, Stantons or higher end Numarks for $600-$800.
A lot of people say you should try different turntables but I've never been able to do this.
Mainly bcoz I have ordered the majority of my kit thru the internet.
So it hasnt been possibly.
Its all personnal tho.
I think its best to get a good set of decks and an ok mixer because chances are you will need to upgrade your mixer sooner rather than later.
Due to wear and tear especially on the crossfader and as your skill and style develops you will want different features on your mixer eg kills, crossfader adjustment, effects etc.
I know you havent mentioned a mixer but if your serious about scratching you should look for a mixer with curve control and perhaps a Penny and Giles fader (aircraft grade equipment).
Phew.
At the end of the day you will be using them so its what is best for you.
And what your most comfortable with.
Good luck.
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P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago #Holy sh!t Loudwon, mad respect for typing out that long response. It is VERY appreciated. So, in your opinion, it's worth it to invest in a more expensive deck + mixer rather than start with a low priced one? -
P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 16 years ago #Xellerated said: Holy sh!t Loudwon, mad respect for typing out that long response. It is VERY appreciated. So, in your opinion, it's worth it to invest in a more expensive deck + mixer rather than start with a low priced one?
In my opinion I think its probably best to get the best turntables you can afford.
A good mixer straight away isnt overly important.
Its best to keep it simple so you can work on the fundamentals of mixing and basic scratching.
Without over complicating things.
Then as you improve and your style (may) change's (more flowing mixes or mad cutting etc) then you can upgrade to the most appropriate mixer for you.
The movements of your hands on the records shouldnt really vary at all, no matter what make your turntables are.
Obviously the better the turntable is the truer the result will be.
What I mean is... you hold a record on one type of deck it may take a split second to catch up and you could get noises you dont want.
But with the "Professional" decks they will have better torque etc and will give a truer sound of what your doing (trying to do).
On a more personal note these turntables will be playing your favourite records and its only right that they are played on the best (best to you as you're the dj) decks.
I hope this helps. -
P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago #Thank you so much for your help , Loudwon. Really cleared up a lot of questions ive been having.
Last question, do you think its worth it to get one of these "Battle Paks" that have 2 tables, a mixer, cartridges, headphones etc? Basically everything you need to get you started, all for about $400, but of course, the components aren't of any high quality.
Do you think it's worth it to get one of these, to practice skills and whatnot, then slowly upgrade individual components as you get better (and as you get more money )
So far, due to my current budget, i've narrowed down my options:
Option 1:
1 x Numark TT200 http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipment/1/1992/5007.html
1 x Vestax VMC -002Xlu Mixer - http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipment/35/1276/32883.html
Option 2:
1 x Stanton STR8-150S http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Stanton-STR8150-Digital-Turntable-?sku=801078&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=2158548
Option 3:
1 x Numark TTX-USB
http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipment/1/1992/21439.html
If you guys know of any other deals in this price range ($200 - $500) let me know! -
P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 16 years ago #I've had a brief look at the links and...
The Stanton deck and Vestax mixer look nice.
Seem to have some good features on them as well.
I suppose it has to come down to your own taste and opinion.
Which do you like the most, you're going to have to use and look at them for the foreseeable future.
I started off with 2 x Gemmini XL500's and some entry level 2 channel mixer. then about a year later I got a set of Vestax PDX 2000's and a 3 channel Numark mixer. so that came to a total of over £1100 in about a year. Then I upgraded my mixer about 2 years later so that was another £300.
So you need to keep that in mind when you're buying equipment.
I havent looked in depth at any new turntables or mixers in the last couple of years so companies such as Numark could have caught up with the likes of Vestax, Technics, Stanton etc. -
P fan #1
Joined: Feb '07
Posts: 594Posted 16 years ago #yo xellerated i have those numarks, specifically the battle pak that came with the numark mixer too, and it is very basic. good price for beginning, good tables for beginning, but ive only had mine for a year or so and now im itching to get a nice mixer and eventually some more durable tables... im looking into vestax mixers, but stanton are very nice as well usually from what ive seen. -
P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago #omg.. I love these boards so much. Thank you guys so much for the valuable advice. I decided to order the stanton deck with the vestax mixer, and eventually upgrade to a decent mixer, depending on how/(if) my style develops.
Again, thank you guys! -
12
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 50Posted 16 years ago #I'm a little late to be jumping in this thread, but the most important thing for sampling (IMO) is a good needle. Regardless of the turntable (the ones in the "DJ PACK" are completely useless for spinning out) or mixer (new school Vestax... ala VMC models or PMC-05 PROIII which are not as solidly "built-to-last" like the PMC-05II or PMC-07), you will want to get a good needle for sampling. Most DJs would recommend shure M447s for DJing applications, but you may want to do some searching for a reference cartridge (grado makes an amazing one if you got serious paper to spend... but Shure also makes some that are pretty affordable for what they do). You can throw all sorts of filters/gates/limiters on a sample, but if your cartridge doesn't have the range to get the deep bass or harmonic highs, you won't be able to isolate those sounds for your compositions. Hope this helps. -
P fan #1
Joined: Jul '07
Posts: 1,415Posted 16 years ago #On the needle tip Ortofon needles are my weapon of choice.
I need to get some new ones pretty soon tho.
I'll most likely get the pink ortofon concords, the "scratch" ones.
Had the blue "DJ" ones and they have lasted over like 6 years.
Brilliant sound quality, look dope (haha not that important) track well, perform great and good visiblity of the groove. -
12
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 50Posted 16 years ago #I personally use Shure 447s, but I've heard good things about the ortofon jawns. You using the concord headshell? Those are really easy to see your grooves with. Speaking of seeing well, one of the ortofon styli is glow-in-the-dark. That seems like something that could come in handy. Personally, I'ma stick with the 447s on Tech headshells. -
P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago #Yo everyone, thanks for all your input. I ended up getting the stanton deck with the M44-7 cartridge and the vestax mixer. Havin' so much fun! Just one question.
What do you guys recommend for scratching practice? Any particular vinyls come to mind? -
P fan #1
Joined: Jun '08
Posts: 1,874Posted 16 years ago #ooooh, i like the dj Q-bert break records, that one, what's it called... scratchy seal or something... um... SUPER SEAL BREAKS, that's the one. It's designed some how (don't ask me how it works) so that if the needle skips, which is does all the time when i start gettin into some heavy scratching on my sh!tty set up, you don't loose the break that your sampling. I think it's to do with the way it's pressed, each groove is in time with the groove next to it, so if you jump up and come down again, you don't really notice... you can really beat the sh!t out of this record, it's awesome... -
P fan #1
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 537Posted 16 years ago #you smoke dodo? said: ooooh, i like the dj Q-bert break records, that one, what's it called... scratchy seal or something... um... SUPER SEAL BREAKS, that's the one. It's designed some how (don't ask me how it works) so that if the needle skips, which is does all the time when i start gettin into some heavy scratching on my sh!tty set up, you don't loose the break that your sampling. I think it's to do with the way it's pressed, each groove is in time with the groove next to it, so if you jump up and come down again, you don't really notice... you can really beat the sh!t out of this record, it's awesome...
Hell yeah dodo! Superseal Breaks is classic. I'm probably going to get my hands on that, as well as D-Styles stuff. God damn, last night, I was up all night scratching up Common's Resurrection (Its the only album I have more than 1 of)
I started at 8pm, and I didnt even realize how late it got, I got lost in the music. I had to stop when my neighbor started yelling
Thanks for the info dodo, you da sh!t!!
P.S. Resurrection is so amazing. Common Sense was dropping SCIENCE on that album. Classic. -
P fan #1
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 654Posted 16 years ago #Yes, yes.
Gotta love BE too, another f*ckin classic!
I hope he didn't get soft, and he redeems himself for Universal Mind Control.
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